Gas and Electricity in Ovens - Which is Better?

There are more than two separate camps of cooks in the debate of gas versus electricity ovens. Some die-hard stalwarts, including many professional chefs, will insist that unless you're cooking with gas then you're not really cooking at all. Others swear by the reliability of cooking with an electric oven, whilst many cooks prefer to mix and match options with gas hobs and electric ovens.

With gas and electricity, it really comes down to a matter of personal preference and cooking style, but there are some general tips that can be observed to save you money on your utility bills whilst cooking.

One of the general principles of gas and electricity when it comes to ovens is that gas ovens are more expensive to buy but cheaper to run. Electric ovens, on the other hand, are cheaper to buy but more expensive to run. If you are investing a significant amount of money into an oven which is a long-term purchase rather than a quick fix, then it will probably work out cheaper over time to buy a quality gas oven rather than an electric one. Gas and electricity prices will invariably fluctuate but if electricity prices rise then gas prices tend to increase in tandem, and gas is usually cheaper than electricity as a rule.

There are a number of factors that can make different ovens cheaper to run though. Fan-assisted ovens, for example, increase the temperature inside the oven and spread the heat more evenly, allowing for a smoother cooking process. As extra heat is generated, fan-assisted ovens can cook at lower temperatures, thereby using less gas and electricity. Not only do fan-assisted ovens cook more thoroughly, they also cook more quickly, making them more fuel efficient and time effective.

Most ovens these days are electric, and what sets them apart from gas ovens is that they are cheaper to buy, tend to be more reliable, and can be more versatile. Modern electric ovens come with a host of additional functions including thermal grilling, defrosting, batch baking, and timers that can be programmed. Gas ovens tend to be more traditional but ultimately give cooks more control with their oven temperature.

In terms of oven hobs, gas is almost universally accepted as better for cooking, whereas electric is almost universally accepted as being better for cleaning purposes. Ultimately, whether you decide to go for straight gas, straight electric or a mixture of gas and electric, the oven you require will depend on the type of cook you are. For a solid all-rounder though, a fan-assisted electric oven with gas hobs is an excellent mix of gas and electricity, which is both versatile to use and reasonably cheap to run.